Ancient Carthage: The Foundation Part I
Reasons of Foundation
Carthage was founded by Dido, a Phoenician Queen from Tyre, on the 9th century BC in North Africa. It was created to facilitate trade in between Mediterranean Phoenician cities.
Government
Two suffets were elected every year and selected from the wealthiest and most influential families. Suffets were non-royal magistrates granted control over a city-state, they exercised judicial and executive power, but not military as the administration chose the Generals. the Treasury and Foreign Affairs were supervised by the Council of Elders.
Religion
Carthage derived its religious beliefs from the Phoenicians. Their main god and goddess were Baal Hammon and Tanit. She was the goddess of War, a virginal mother and nurse while he was the god of weather, vegetative fertility and The King of Gods.
Carthage also embraced other religions from bordering civilizations; Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt and the Etruscan civilization.
City Design
Rock dwellings were at the origin of Carthaginian architecture. All constructions were built of limestone and mud-bricks.
Carthage’s main port contained two linked harbors one for military and another one for commercial ships. The circular one can harbor up to 220 warships while the rectangular harbor was considered the most powerful Mediterranean trade center.
The city was divided into four equally sized residential areas with the same layout. Carthage also had a large Necropolis, marketplaces, towers, a theater and a prestigious council house.
Culture of Carthage
Carthaginian art was inspired by Egyptian motifs, Phoenician gods, Etruscan patterns and Greek fashion. They were able to transform precious metals and materials into decorative object such as figurines of female goddesses, various kinds of jewelry necklaces…
Phoenicians are also known for Tyrian, the luxurious purple, for navigating by the stars, inventing glass...
Nice article, keep them coming! Can you tell us what will Part II and III cover?
Thanks for reading Part I, I hope you enjoyed it.
These parts are coming soon:
Part II will be Ancient Carthage: The Expansion of Carthage
Part III will be Ancient Carthage: The Fall of Carthage
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I like to short write up. Nice quick intro. Where do you get your info?
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed reading the first part. I will be posting part II and III very soon.
Here are some of my references:
https://www.thoughtco.com/carthage-116970
https://www.ancient.eu/Carthaginian_Art/
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